BBO-PLAYER-NEWS-WIRE -

Part 1

March 01, 2013|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

03/01/2013 MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Brantley, Michael

OF Michael Brantley is expected to be sidelined for 10 days with a lacerated left forearm that required 15 stitches. Brantley suffered the injury when Oakland's Josh Donaldson inadvertently stepped on his arm while Brantley was sliding into third base Feb. 25. Brantley was off to a strong start prior to the injury. "I wish I could bottle where his swing is," said Manager Terry Francona. "His first four swings (all doubles) were almost perfect. It was gorgeous."

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MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Masterson, Justin

RHP Justin Masterson, who pitched his best game of the season last year on opening day vs. Toronto, will get a chance to duplicate that effort against the same opponent this year. Masterson has been named the Indians' opening day starter vs. the Blue Jays on April 2 in Toronto. "It's something I hoped for," said Masterson. "It's exciting. It's where I want to be. First guy out, setting the tone. In his opening day start last year vs. Toronto, a 7-4 Indians loss in 16 innings, Masterson pitched eight innings, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out 10.

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MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Matsuzaka, Daisuke

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, one of six pitchers competing for one spot in the Indians' rotation, pitched two scoreless and hitless innings in his first spring appearance. Matsuzaka is in camp as a non-roster player after going 1-7 with an 8.28 in 11 starts last year for Boston, his first season following Tommy John surgery. In his prime Matsuzaka pitched for Indians manager Terry Francona in Boston. "He had the ability like no other pitcher to wiggle out of jams," said Francona. "Bases loaded, nobody out and we'd be sitting on the edge of our seat, but he wasn't. He'd get out of it like nobody's business."

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MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Jimenez, Ubaldo

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez has been working closely with new pitching coach Mickey Callaway in hopes of finding the form that made him 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA for Colorado in 2010. Since then Jimenez is 19-30 with a 5.03 ERA. Manager Terry Francona said Callaway studied video from Jimenez's Colorado days and may have found something worth tweaking. "In his windup he was almost a full second quicker in Colorado than he was here," said Francona.

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MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Carrera, Ezequiel

OF Ezequiel Carrera is competing for a spot as a bench player, and the fact that he's out of minor league options makes the decision an important one for Indians officials. "There's a lot to like there," said Manager Terry Francona. "He's potentially a good fit for our club. We need to find out, because if not we'll lose him (on waivers). We don't doubt for one second we'd lose him."

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MLB Note - Cleveland Indians Perez, Chris

RHP Chris Perez was shut down March 1 with a right shoulder strain. The injury will prevent Perez from taking part in the World Baseball Classic. He is expected to resume exhibition game activity in three to four weeks.

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MLB Note - Kansas City Royals Johnson, Elliot

IF Elliot Johnson suffered a bruised left knee Wednesday when Carlos Gomez of the Brewers slid into his leg while he started a double play. The Royals do not consider the injury serious.

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MLB Note - Kansas City Royals Getz, Chris

2B Chris Getz homered March 1 in the 3-2 victory over the Reds. Getz has not homered in a regular season game since July 19, 2009. That is 918 at-bats sans a home run. He has 793 at-bats with Kansas City, the longest homer-less drought at the start of a Royals' career in franchise history.

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MLB Note - Kansas City Royals Santana, Ervin

RHP Ervin Santana pitched two scoreless innings Friday against the Reds in his Royals' debut. Santana retired the first five batters he faced before issuing a walk and giving up a double before getting a strikeout to end the inning. He threw 18 strikes in 31 pitches. "Everything was very good," Santana said. He was obtained in an Oct. 31 trade with the Angels for minor league LHP Brandon Sisk with the Royals picking up all but one million of his $12 million contract for 2013.

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MLB Note - Kansas City Royals Joseph, Donnie

LHP Donnie Joseph struck out the first seven batters he faced in spring training before yielding a bunt single Friday. Joseph, a rookie, was acquired from the Reds last July 31 in the trade for RHP Jonathan Broxton.